Senior UN official assures Pyongyang of commitment to peaceful solution

UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman visited North Korea on December 5-8

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UN, December 10. /TASS/. During his visit to North Korea earlier this week, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman assured the country’s leadership of the international community’s commitment to peaceful solution of the North Korean issue, the UN Secretary General’s office said on Saturday.

During his visit on December 5-8, Feltman met with North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho and Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Myong Guk.

The sides "exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula and agreed that the current situation was the most tense and dangerous peace and security issue in the world today," the UN said in a statement.

Feltman "emphasised the need for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions" and reiterated that "there can only be a diplomatic solution to the situation, achieved through a process of sincere dialogue."

"Noting the urgent need to prevent miscalculations and open channels to reduce the risks of conflict, Mr. Feltman underlined that the international community, alarmed by escalating tensions, is committed to the achievement of a peaceful solution to the situation on the Korean Peninsula," the statement reads.

During the visit, Feltman also met with the United Nations Country Team and members of the diplomatic corps, and visited UN project sites, including a children’s foodstuff factory, TB prevention institute and other health facilities.

North Korea’s official KCNA news agency earlier reported that Feltman, during his meeting with North Korean officials, "expressed concern by tensions on the Korean Peninsula and readiness to assist in reducing those tensions."

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense as Pyongyang continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs, while Seoul and Washington hold joint military drills. On November 29, North Korea conducted a missile launch, the first since September 15. North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) said that the Hwasong-15 missile had covered a distance of 950 kilometers during its 53-minute flight, reaching an altitude of 4,475 kilometers. After the launch, Pyongyang announced that the missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, while the entire US territory was within its range.